DAY OF DIVERSITY

LONG BEACH - Diversity seemed to be an understatement as people of all shapes, sizes, colors, ethnicities and sexual orientation attended the annual Long Beach Lesbian and Gay Pride Celebration on Saturday.

Attendees of the event along Shoreline Drive had lots more to celebrate this year with President Barack Obama's statement this month supporting same-sex marriage.

"I think it's going to make black America go, `Hey let's stop,' because that's where a lot of the discrimination starts," said Neia Smith, who is black and is a deacon at Unity Fellowship of Christ Church of Los Angeles, where 80 percent of the membership is homosexual. "Once we start to accept each other as a whole, it will be so much easier to accept people who are gay."

The president's support will help end the ostracism often felt in the gay community, Smith said.

"Who I sleep with in my bedroom doesn't make me any different," said Smith, who celebrated 10 years of marriage to her wife this year. "I pay taxes, I have children, I go to work, I run a business, I support my home. I do everything like everybody else."

Some are hoping Obama's support is merely the beginning of positive change.

"Hopefully it will keep opening more doors and we will be able to have gay marriages in all states, not just some states," said George Johnson.

"I'm impressed that (Obama) has taken the time to actually look at it and knows other gay couples and actually realized they are no different from anybody else," said Dusty Granity, of Christ Chapel of Long Beach.

From T-Shirts, tattoos, undergarments and free trip giveaways, diversity was also in the vendor booths Saturday. A variety of musical performers took the stage throughout the day, with singer Queen Latifah headlining the event.

"I think this is great. It's promoting the community and the positiveness of the community," said Connie Alston, a T-shirt vendor from Las Vegas. "I like the diversity I see this year and what we have out here in terms of vendors and people over all."

The two-day festival and parade is the city's second-largest event, drawing 75,000 to 80,000 revelers over two days. The event also generates almost $10 million for the local economy, according to a 2004 economic impact study by Pride organizers.

Several local churches were on hand to spread a spiritual message not often heard by the gay community.

"God doesn't discriminate, whether you are black or white, gay or straight. He loves you anyway and that's what we want people to know," said Granity, whose booth was also applying temporary tattoos. "We serve an amazing, loving God. Jesus never said anything about homosexuality at all. If it was such a big deal, he would have."

Smith, of Unity Fellowship of Christ Church of Los Angeles, said race and sexual orientation don't matter in the eyes of God.

"Our church started out as a movement about 30 years ago and we came just to continue to put ourselves out there to let gay and lesbian people know they are accepted by God," she said. "God loves you as you are."

Overall, the day was simply about being free to be who you are, said Chase Blackford.

"I enjoy having the freedom to have this event," he said. "It's what we need to be able to show that we can stand together as a community."

The celebrations continue today along Shoreline Drive and will include a 10:30 a.m. parade down Ocean Boulevard.